In January 2016, I and the Board of Directors of the International Cryptozoology Museum announced the establishment of the International Cryptozoology Society.

 

At our first conference in St. Augustine, Florida, I introduced our President, Dr. Paul LeBlond (pictured), who is a Member of the International Cryptozoology Museum’s Board of Advisors, an Emeritus Professor in Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences at University of British Columbia, co-founder of the BC Scientific Cryptozoology Club, and a former Member of the Board of Directors of the International Society of Cryptozoology.

I also shared the ICS mission, the new ICS logo (adapted from the first photograph of the first Western-found okapi), and how to become a ICS member. We encouraged you to join, and some of you did.

We are excited to spell out some of the new additions to the benefits of membership.

(1) Everyone joining in 2016 will be listed in all publications and at the International Cryptozoology Museum as a “Founding Member” – and you will receive a certificate stating so. Even if you decide to not join annually, you will be a “Founding Member” forever. All levels of memberships can be “Founding Members” by joining this year, only.

(2) An individualized membership card will be issued to you, with the lowest numbers being given in 2016.

(3) We are happy to let all members of the ICS know you will receive copies of Karl Shuker’s Journal of Cryptozoology, as part of your membership fee. If you are a member, expect your copy of Volume One of this collectible journal with your certificate and membership card this Spring. If you join later in 2016, you will receive Shuker’s Journal in a timely fashion, without extra charge.

 

(4) The ICS is creating a “big tent” of cryptozoology organizations that have scientific foundations. We also are in discussions with and have received positive responses from several publications and their editors to provide members with academic and popular journals, books, and newsletters to keep our members informed. These include the following and others:

 

 

 

 

We also will be collecting and sharing old cryptozoology journals with members.

(3) A wide variety of museum benefits come with membership. These are detailed here.

As I’ve mentioned before, the International Society of Cryptozoology only had the benefits of its own newsletters, annual journals, and annual conferences, during its ten years of functioning. The new International Cryptozoology Society is directly tied to the International Cryptozoology Museum, and members of the ICS can directly take advantage of the museum, gift store discounts (in museum and online), and conference discounts – plus all the publication benefits. Check it out.

(4) Finally, of course, the planned International Cryptozoology Museum Journal has morphed into the International Cryptozoology Society Journal. The first issue will be coming this Summer, and it will contain all the proceedings of the First International Cryptozoology Conference held in St. Augustine, Florida, January 2016.

 

(5) We are moving into a new museum this year, and you will be getting inside information about our new facility. And our 2017 conference will follow soon after, in a centrally located USA site. Learn more as a member.

Join today.

Jeff Meuse

Jenny and Loren Coleman

Michelle Souliere

Duncan Hopkins

 

Paul LeBlond

Thanks to those deeply involved in launching the ICS membership products and first journal: Jeff Meuse, Jennifer White Coleman, Loren Coleman, Michelle Souliere (esp.  card, certificate design), Duncan Hopkins (logo design), and Paul LeBlond.

And appreciations to so many more folks who helped get us here…